Road fatalities and fatal crashes continue to decline when compared to last year’s first quarter figures.

According to statistics from the Road Safety Unit (RSU), 70 persons have been killed from 65 motor vehicles crashes as of March 30, compared to 98 persons from 88 crashes for the corresponding period last year.

Of the 70 persons killed so far this year, 30 are pedestrians, accounting for approximately 43 per cent of the total fatalities. However, there have been noticeable reductions in other road user categories, RSU data say.

Motorcyclist fatalities have reduced by 33 per cent; pedal cyclist fatalities have declined by 57 per cent; private motor carriage (PMC) driver fatalities have decreased by 37 per cent while PMC passenger fatalities have decreased by 43 per cent.

The RSU, heartened by the decline, says it is urging all road users to be road models for others by observing and following the rules governing the safe usage of the roads.

Last year, 241persons were killed in traffic crashes, surpassing the under-300 target set by the National Road Safety Council.